Kean bill would toughen drunk driving penalties

The worst drunk drivers would be put behind bars for up to five
years, under proposed state legislation being hailed by police and
anti-drunk driving activists.

The most sweeping changes in the drunk driving law in recent
years also would impose fines of up to $15,000 and take away the
licenses for up to 20 years of some people convicted of three or
more drunk driving offenses.

In 2002, 773 people died in motor vehicle accidents in New
Jersey. A total of 39 percent of them, or 299, were killed as a
result of drunk drivers, according to the National Highway Safety
Administration.

Nationwide, there were 42,815 motor vehicle fatalities of which
17,419, or 41 percent, involved alcohol, the administration
said.

Statistics were not available to indicate multiple
offenders.

A spokesman for the Randolph Township-based Theresa Wright
Foundation said he was hopeful the new law will be passed and will
deter multiple-offense drunk drivers.

"The law provides harsh penalties consistent with our belief
that if the safety net doesn't catch abusive drivers, the penal
system has to take over," said foundation director Al Matos.

Current Law

Currently, third-time offenders can be fined $1,000, lose their
licenses for a decade and be ordered to complete community
service.

But a proposed law sponsored by state Sen. Thomas H. Kean Jr.,
R-Morris, would impose fines of up to $10,000 and up to 18 months
in jail for a third or further offense.

The bill, S-2378, would include a mandatory 180 days in jail,
with up to 90 days suspended for time in an in-patient
rehabilitation program.

Additionally, penalties for driving drunk for the third time in
a school zone would be boosted with fines of up to $15,000 and from
three to five years in jail and the loss of a driver's license for
20 years.

The bill was reported out of the Senate Law and Public Safety
and Veterans Affairs Committee on Nov. 24.

It is named "Michael's Law" after Michael Albano, a 19-year-old
Vineland man who was killed by a drunk driver in December 2001. The
driver had four prior drunk driving convictions.

"Perhaps the threat of incarceration might be a deterrent,"
Katona said. "It also could be a motivation to seek treatment."

The Theresa Wright Foundation pressed for the last major changes
in the drunk driving laws. In 1997, the law was changed to a
mandatory three years in jail for anyone who is driving drunk and
causes a death.

Two years ago, the state Legislature cut the threshold to an .08
percent blood alcohol content for a legal definition of
intoxication.

Previously, the limit was .10.

The drunk driving law also was changed to place liability on
those who post bail for drunk drivers.

Kean said he was a co-sponsor of the 1997 legislation in the
state Assembly, and remained involved when he moved to the state
Senate this year.

"After a third drunk driving charge, it's been proven that the
individual is a menace to society," Kean said.

"We need to remove these individuals for a stint of time," Kean
noted. "The main focus is that it's time to do something real."

Kean, whose 21st Legislative District includes Chatham Township,
Madison, Harding Township, Long Hill Township, Warren Township and
Watchung locally, said the bill now heads to the full Senate for
consideration. He said he has heard no opposition to the proposal
and hopes it will be passed and signed by Gov. James E. McGreevey
before the current legislative session ends this month.

Watch this discussion.Stop watching this discussion.

(0) comments

Welcome to the discussion.

Be Yourself. We do not accept and will not approve
anonymous comments. If your username is not your name, please sign
your posts as you would a letter to the editor with your full name
and hometown.Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language.PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated.Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything.Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person.Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts.Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.